It's still uncertain, but come game time, Wisconsin might be trying to fill a nearly seven-foot hole in its game plan.

As of yesterday, 6-foot-11 center Rashard Griffith was questionable for tonight's game with Penn State at 8 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin Field House. The imposing freshman has watched his last two games in street clothes, bothered by what is described as a "lesion" below his right kneecap.

Penn State Coach Bruce Parkhill said he definitely believes No. 21 Wisconsin is a different team with Griffith in the lineup, but that won't affect his preparation at all.

"We're just going to assume that he's going to play, and prepare --if you can -- prepare accordingly," Parkhill said.

In the last meeting between the two teams, Griffith helped lead the Badgers to a 71-56 victory in the Big Ten opener for both teams in January, with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Badger forward Michael Finley also did in the Lions with 23 of his own.

Finley leads the Badgers in scoring at 20.6 points per game, while Griffith is second, scoring at a 14.4 ppg clip. But with other players such as Tracy Webster also scoring in double figures, it's not at the offensive end of the floor where Coach Stu Jackson will miss his prize freshman.

"I think they're a different team with him," Parkhill said. "I think they're more effective defensively.

"They can really put a lot of pressure on you on the perimeter knowing that he can block some shots and bail them out," he added.

Griffith currently leads the team in rebounding, averaging nine per contest, and also leads Wisconsin with 45 blocked shots, an average of 2.8 per game. He was also the major factor in keeping Penn State center John Amaechi in check in the January meeting.

In the loss, Amaechi was held to a season-low four points and two rebounds. Although Jackson said his team is capable of filling any void created if Griffith doesn't play, the truth of the matter doesn't escape him either.

"We have a whole team that's capable of guarding one person," the Wisconsin coach said. "The reality of it is, it's better to have Rashard than not to have him. If we don't we'll have to try and compensate."

Notes:

-- Parkhill said he expects shooting guard Michael Jennings to be ready to start against the Badgers. Jennings did not start in the team's last meeting with Indiana after suffering a blow to the head in practice on Jan. 31, and a concussion in the team's loss to Illinois a week ago.

-- Parkhill also updated the status of some other key players. The coach said that Matt Gaudio, the team's second-leading scorer, is still having problems with a stomach illness, in addition to his lingering back troubles.

Also, Parkhill said backup center Michael Joseph's back problems are a "day-to-day thing." Joseph injured his back in practice on Jan. 31.